Educating Rita

Educating Rita
By Willy Russell. Christine Harris & Hit Productions. Directed by Denny Lawrence. QUT Gardens Theatre, Brisbane 14 & 15 April, 2016, and touring.

The more I see this play the more I see in it. Willy Russell's timeless tale of two contrasting characters in a teacher/student role exploring life's journey in all its complexities is as endearing as it is chucklesome. This little gem is not only entertaining but also full of substance, demonstrating the inclusion of different levels of exploration involving the British class system, environment, psychology and, of course, the matter of education.

Education is all about knowledge and growth but to see an educator trying to inspire behind a wall of negativity is the perfect platform to bounce off and analyse. The play also has a common denominator with a theme something most of us can relate to having endured our own influences often from a background and system we may not necessarily have chosen to be brought up in. It's no wonder the play has been a success, because it comes across as being so real with its natural flow of dialogue, intriguing development of character and final resolution, though even that is left to question. Did, for example, these two characters develop their relationship even further down the track, even from a distance? Also effective is the use of a theatrical time machine because we can see the graduality of the impact these two characters are having on their own development and lives in general.

But you can't present this kind of scenario without good actors. And this was the highpoint of this production. Veteran actor Colin Moody is superb as Frank, the washed-out, frustrated alcoholic professor in direct contrast to Rita, the fresh naïve hairdresser looking for more meaning in her life, played by Francesca Bianchi in a well-cast and dynamic performance complete with a true-to-life Liverpudlian accent and colourful persona. It is also apparent this production has director who knows his theatre: timing, placement, subtlety. It's all there.

My only concern is the gradual changing display of Rita's wardrobe. I'm no expert on the subject of fashion from that part of the world and at that time, but I would have hoped her taste would have been a little less tacky. Unless this was intended or indeed was the style. 

This touring production is a perfect choice to play in higher education venues, like the Garden Theatre at the QUT, Brisbane and should be seen by students and staff alike.

Teaching the teacher? Well, I guess we are all students of life ....... 

Brian Adamson

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